Technological Impacts in Socio-Technical Communities: Values and Pathologies

Communities and societies are known to achieve key benefits, such as trade growth, risk mitigation and resource sustainability [1], by following and observing conventionally-agreed and mutable rules (e.g., norms and laws). We focus on "democratic" societies-where citizens can contribute to changes in these governing regulations (directly or indirectly), which then apply equally to all [2], [3]. However, the unrestricted self-interested, or power-seeking behavior of some members may progressively deform such society; for example the iron law of oligarchy [4]. Consequently, scholars of socio-political sciences have identified " defense mechanisms" that help protect societies against such phenomena [3], [5]. These include comprehensible¹ transparency, responsible engagement, and the perceptible impact of pro-social contributions.